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Victorian Education Minister James Merlino has accused the Federal Government of using funding to "force" independent schools to undermine the state's strategy on face-to-face learning during the coronavirus pandemic.
Key points:
- Independent and religious schools have been offered advanced funding by the Federal Government
- The offer is dependent on the schools delivering face-to-face learning to 50 per cent of their students by the end of May
- Mr Merlino said non-government schools should not be forced to choose between the funding and following Victoria's health advice
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan contacted independent and religious schools yesterday, offering to bring forward $3 billion in funding if they could get students back into the classroom by June.
Mr Tehan said the move was made after Catholic and independent schools told the Government they were experiencing cashflow issues and would like the payment they would normally receive in July brought forward.
Under the offer, the schools would receive the money in two instalments — the first once a plan was in place to have face-to-face classes being run for all year levels, and the second if at least 50 per cent of students were attending school at the end of May.
Victorian state schools have been running online learning for up to 97 per cent of students this term, based on Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton's advice that restarting teaching in classrooms now could jeopardise the state's progress in reducing coronavirus transmission.
Mr Merlino said the offer by the Federal Government was "completely inappropriate".
"Expert health advice, not money, should determine whether nor not a school fully opens," he said.
He said the move was an attempt to steer Victoria's non-government schools away from the advice of the Chief Health Officer.
"I feel for non-government schools, school parents, leaders, teachers and students should not be put in a position where they have funding … or they follow the expert health advice in Victoria.
"We don't want a million students, 80,000 plus teachers, parents and carer congregating at our schools."
All Victorian state schools are set up for online learning for term two, with students encouraged to learn from home where possible, and most independent schools have followed suit.
When asked about the issue at a press conference afterwards, Prime Minister Scott Morrison insisted that the difference of views was being worked through in a "cooperative and respectful way".
He said while "states run the state school systems", the Federal Government was responsible for funding Catholic and independent schools and would continue to push for them to reopen classrooms, even if that was at odds with state advice.
"Classroom teaching is where we need to get to and that's what we'll be supporting independent and Catholic schools to do," he said.
"That is a national policy … and it's one that we've already had very positive response to and we'll continue to go down that path."
Mr Morrison said he was confident that any difference in strategies between state schools and non-government schools would not be "too much of a hurdle for people to get over".
Victoria's independent schools say they are 'being used' by politicians
Independent Schools Victoria's chief executive Michelle Green said in a statement that the sector felt they had been placed under unfair political pressure.
"Schools now have just two days to decide if they are able to provide a safe workplace for their teachers and a safe learning environment for their students, in circumstances where they are all under incredible strain and many are under financial pressure," Ms Green said.
"If they resume on-site education, they will be rewarded with financial support. If not, that support will be withheld.
"Independent schools are being used as a wedge in a policy disagreement between the Federal and Victorian governments. This is unfair and entirely inappropriate when what's at stake is the health of children and their teachers."
Jim Laussen, the principal of Overnewton Anglican Community College in Melbourne's north-west, said he felt like his school community was "being bribed into coming back to school".
"We found out about this last night and I have to make a decision by Friday," he said.
"Before that, I have to consult with my leadership team, my board, I need to talk to my staff and see how they feel about coming back on June 1, whether they feel safe enough."
National independent schools group welcomes the move
In contrast to the Victorian independent schools group, the Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA), has embraced the Federal Government's offer to assist with cash flow.
"We welcome the initiative of bringing our normal July payments earlier. So that's the bit we're very happy with," ISCA chief executive David Mulford said.
"We asked for it."
Dr Mulford said he could understand parents' confusion, when even his own school sector was unable to agree on the Federal Government's plan.
"The complexity many schools have now is it depends which state or territory they're in," he said.
"Because you get different advice and opinions. The joys of federation make it very complex."
Royal Melbourne Show the latest event cancelled
Victoria's coronavirus death toll has risen to 18, after a woman in her 80s died from COVID-19 in hospital.
Mr Pakula said three more cases of coronavirus were recorded overnight in Victoria.
Of the 18 people in hospital, nine are in intensive care.
The Royal Melbourne Show, which showcases Victorian agriculture and has run since 1885, will not go ahead in late September, its organisers have confirmed.
The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) said in a statement they were still hopeful they could find ways to bring the traditional and much-loved elements of the show online.
"While the gates won't open this September, the RASV will continue to promote and celebrate food and agriculture, cultivate events and strengthen communities," executive officer Brad Jenkins said.
It is the first time the show has been cancelled since World War II.
One-off coronavirus payments announced for international students
The Victorian Government has announced it will provide one-off relief payments of up to $1,100 for international students who have lost work during the coronavirus pandemic and cannot access federal social support payments.
Jobs Minister Martin Pakula said the $45 million fund could support up to 40,000 international students in the state.
There are more than 150,000 international students in Victoria.
"The Government contribution will provide a payment of up to $1,100 per student which is effectively the equivalent of two weeks' worth of JobSeeker payments," Mr Pakula said.
"It is very important for international students, they are doing it very tough."
He said universities would be required to provide a contribution to the fund to help it support international students.
"Universities are doing a huge amount of this themselves," he said.
"They're making significant support payments available but it's not enough and they made it very clear that one of the most important things that the Government could do to provide appropriate support for international students and to maintain Victoria's reputation as a great place for international students to come and study was to make some support available ourselves."
Some international students who worked part-time jobs in the hospitality and retail sectors have found themselves without an income and struggling to afford basic necessities during the shutdown measures.
At the start of the month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison encouraged international students who could not financially support themselves through the pandemic to "return to their home countries".
That stance was criticised by several university leaders including the vice-chancellor of Deakin University, who accused the Federal Government of choosing to "cast international students adrift".
International education generated $11.8 billion in export revenue for Victoria in 2018 and Treasurer Tim Pallas has warned the hit to the sector was likely to deepen recession in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Pakula said providing support to international students during the pandemic could play a vital role in helping the economy recover on the other side.
"When the COVID-19 crisis is over there will be enormous competition for international students," he said.
"Many of these students do not have to come to Victoria, they can go to other parts of this country, they can go to Canada, the UK, the USA, and I think the kind of experience that we provide them and the kind of messages they send home is a very important part of having international students learn at our institutions."
